“It Is What It Is”…but God IS Bigger

“… I mean, it is what it is,” the flippant remark accompanied the doctor’s flick of the light switch, “there’s nothing we can do – you won’t regain the sight in that eye. Good thing it’s your weak eye.” His quick exit did nothing to relieve my rigid shoulders. My… Read more““It Is What It Is”…but God IS Bigger”

31 Ways to Nurture Yourself for Caregivers

The Importance of Self-Care Increases with Caregiving If you spend time caring for someone else, you need to make sure that you spend thoughtful time caring for yourself. This month on my other blog, I’m writing a series on 31 Ways to Nurture Yourself. So often people tell caregivers, “Take… Read more“31 Ways to Nurture Yourself for Caregivers”

In the Midst of Catastrophe and Crisis

When catastrophe strikes and crises arise, caregivers and survivors often struggle with guilt and surreal feelings of isolation and wonder that life moves on around us. Sometimes we are caught so deeply in our own battle that we forget others face different fights. But even harder –  we’re bewildered that… Read more“In the Midst of Catastrophe and Crisis”

Easy Sweet Potato Quesadillas Smothered in Tomatillo Sauce

Healthy Food Choices Inspire Me Healthy (er) food choices always inspire me. Take, for instance, lowly quesadillas. I’d never even heard of them until I started college, and after we married, we often ate them because they only took a few minutes to prepare. Somewhere along the way, we started… Read more“Easy Sweet Potato Quesadillas Smothered in Tomatillo Sauce”

Take Care of Yourself: Six Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Cancer Caregiving 101: Take Care of Yourself and Prevent Caregiver Burnout “Now you must realize,” the doctor straightened the papers into the already thick folder as he finished summarizing the diagnosis, treatment protocol and prognosis, “with a best-case scenario, we’re in for a long haul. You two must take care… Read more“Take Care of Yourself: Six Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout”

Hearts of Love on Valentine’s Day

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and that means hearts and chocolates, lace and roses, confessions of love and statements of commitment.  Our society, here in the United States, seems to be undergoing a fierce shaking apart.  Those who profess love protest in the streets.  The ones hurting the deepest feel the… Read more“Hearts of Love on Valentine’s Day”

Six Tips for Family Caregivers During a Catastrophe

The Family Caregiver’s Guide to Self-Care at the Hospital “Excuse me,” I interrupted the nurse as she stood at the desk working on charts. “I don’t think Pedro received his pain meds.” “Let me check,” she replied with a busy frown. “Yes, it says right here that he had his… Read more“Six Tips for Family Caregivers During a Catastrophe”

The Power of Pudding

  Finding the secret to giving a young boy the nastiest tasting medicine became the challenge of my life over-night when he was diagnosed with leukemia. We tried everything.  Applesauce, ice cream, juice, Popsicles, regular food he liked (burritos were a favorite) yogurt and just plain water.  Nothing made that bitter,… Read more“The Power of Pudding”

The Caregiver’s 23rd Psalm (God Will Provide)

The other day as I studied Psalm 23, I found myself rewriting it in the margin of my Bible from a caregiver’s point of view.  Caregivers and sheep have a lot in common.  They feel clueless, helpless, and vulnerable (ok, I’ve never asked a sheep if this is how they… Read more“The Caregiver’s 23rd Psalm (God Will Provide)”

Listen to Your Heritage (It Has the Power to Transform You)

Listen to Longfellow Whenever I hear the word ‘Listen’ I immediately think of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem about Paul Revere: Listen my children and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere… (http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.html) Of course, I especially love the poem because of the family connection. Paul Revere… Read more“Listen to Your Heritage (It Has the Power to Transform You)”